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Thankful for Finish Lines
Thanksgiving is a few short days away! Many people are talking about what they’re thankful for, and today, I’m adding a new item to my gratitude list: finish lines. Last weekend, I ran my first half marathon. Thank you for letting me share about this journey with you here! Today, I just want to leave you with a few pictures and a simple challenge. Ecclesiastes 7:8a says, “The end of a thing is better than its beginning” (NKJV). This verse is a favorite for students at the end of a school year, but it also applies to many other aspects of life – half marathons or otherwise. However, no matter how great…
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3 Essentials for Race Day Readiness
My first half marathon is less than a week away! After months of following a training schedule and tracking mileage, I am beyond ready to start the actual race and reach that finish line. However, as I look back over my half-marathon training, I see practical lessons that apply to more than just race day. I hope they’ll encourage you in your personal goals and spiritual walk. #1: Get rest. The first time I ran 10 miles, I nearly passed out in the grocery store a few hours later. I was waiting behind another customer in the check-out line when a tidal wave of fatigue swept over me. Of course,…
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Run to the Word
Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statues, And I shall keep it to the end. (Psalm 119:33 NKJV) My half marathon is just over a month away. One. Month. Away. Last week, I ran 7.3 miles and was feeling pretty good about my mileage, until I did the math. 13.1 – 7.3 = 5.8 Did I mention I never liked math? (Hence, I teach English.) The good news is I’m over half way there. The bad news is that I almost need to double last week’s distance to reach the finish line. *Groans* Don’t worry. I’m not quitting. I will cross that finish line. There just might be…
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3 Reasons This Christian Girl Runs
I get it. Some people hate running. I once was one of them, and some days, I still am. When I tell people I’m training for a half marathon, I get a variety of responses. Most fall into one of the following categories. I’d be curious to hear yours, and I promise, you won’t hurt my feelings! [polldaddy poll=9817788] Asking the reason why Whether you’re setting goals or getting ready to make a decision, pause to ask, “Why am I doing this?” That’s a healthy question. Last time when we talked about goals, we determined the bottom line for doing anything is to glorify God (I Corinthians 10:31). Let me…
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2 Realities of Reaching Worthy Goals
I’m convinced that anything worthwhile involves sacrifice. To reach a great goal, you have to give up good things. Take sleep, for example. For the last two Saturdays, when many people enjoyed the chance to catch some extra Zs, I set my alarm early to go for a long run. Granted, I enjoyed the morning with some amazing running partners, but I had to sacrifice sleep, embrace sweat, and push through fatigue (and dewy cobwebs along the trail). But I’ll never be ready for my half marathon in November if I don’t. As I type those words, I laugh, because not many years ago, I couldn’t even run a mile.…
